Abraham being pursued by the Broncos

[24CHAMP24]

Over on KFFL.com its saying that Denver has been the most agressive in trying to make a trade for him. A deal could be done in a week or 2.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-spjets104656810mar10,0,101354.story?coll=ny-sports-print

[KS-BroncoGirl]

Abraham...

...would make a nice addition to the Broncos especially now that some cap room has been made thanks to the CBA and other personnel changes due to FA. TFS

[Emancipator]

Denver needs to pursue a DE for sure. If Abraham can help us then we certainly can use him.
I've said many times before that Denver's most important area is finding a pass rusher (a bookend/DE).

[JRWIZ]

...would make a nice addition to the Broncos especially now that some cap room has been made thanks to the CBA and other personnel changes due to FA. TFS

Not all that much room, after adjustment to the vet miniumim contracts. I'd guess with all the older vets we have a Mil or two will be adjusted out just because of this new provision.

Lets not spend money that we do not have.

[portis26hb]

Denver dealing for Abraham?
<Mar. 10> Although several teams have interest in trading for Abraham, the Broncos appear to have the best chance at landing the defensive end, according to Newsday. However, a person familiar with the situation told the paper that the deal might not happen for a week or two.

The Broncos have salary-cap contraints, but Abraham would agree to a long-term deal with Denver as part of any trade, which would lower his cap figure to the $3 million range.



^^ straight from ESPN Insider

[Gyro]

Hopefully we get Abraham, but if we do end up getting him, I certainly hope it doesn't affect our chances of landing TO here in Denver!

[oldustyballs]

Not all that much room, after adjustment to the vet miniumim contracts. I'd guess with all the older vets we have a Mil or two will be adjusted out just because of this new provision.

Lets not spend money that we do not have.

I read an article today that said if we re-sign Warren, Dayne, Burns and Leach we will still have about 7 million to play with. The article that the topic started with said he will only cost about 3 million this year if given a long term contract, so we will have more than enough money.

I say we do whatever it takes to get Abraham. This team has lacked a long term sack specialist for awhile now.

[jhns]

if we could somehow get TO and Abraham the draft could be used almost all for our old positions and depth on both lines

[vicious2500]

Hopefully we get Abraham, but if we do end up getting him, I certainly hope it doesn't affect our chances of landing TO here in Denver!

I'd take Abraham over TO anyday. TO is not needed in Denver a selfless WR is what we need. A tall possesion WR is what Denver needs. We do not need TO and can he run block?

[AZforBroncos]

I'd take Abraham over TO anyday. TO is not needed in Denver a selfless WR is what we need. A tall possesion WR is what Denver needs. We do not need TO and can he run block?

TO is by far the best tall possession WR in the NFL, it's not even close.

[oldustyballs]

This thread is not about TO people can we please get back on topic.

[Cugel]

The Broncos are currently over $10 million under the new cap after cutting Putzier, Anderson and Pryce, so, even subtracting some for the new rookie class, they should have about $7 million to spend on FAs and could possibly re-negotiate some more with their own veterans as well if necessary.

John Abraham would also cost one of the 1st round draft picks (and maybe another later round pick as well), so that would free up some money too (since the team wouldn't have to sign that pick).

They could easily sign Abraham.

It doesn't look like the Broncos are interested in T.O. but might be interested if the price were right. I don't know what other teams are willing to pay T.O., but it's unlikely to be anything like what he wants.

Most teams would be very wary of signing him, given the conflicts that he generates. If they did, they would likely sign a 1 or 2 year deal with various escape clauses related to "conduct detrimental" to the team, etc.

I.E. if he starts criticizing the coach and teammates he'd be gone and might forfeit some or all of his signing bonus, etc.

T.O. wouldn't like such clauses, but might have to agree to them.

Overall, the deal could be structured to have a reasonable salary cap impact, just as Abraham's deal would cost the Broncos less than $3 million in salary cap space this year.

Overall, it'd mean substituting Abraham for Pryce, which is a Hell of a deal for the Broncos since Abraham's 58 tackles and 10.5 sacks were more than twice what Pryce did this season. The only downside is that the Broncos would have to give up the #1 draft pick. But, considering Shanahan's spotty record with #1 picks over the last 5 years maybe that's not a bad thing! Of his last 5 picks, Deltha O'Neal, Willie Middlebrooks, Ashlie Lelie, George Foster, D.J. Williams - only Foster has really panned out so far (for the Broncos anyway). Lelie has been a disappointment for such a high pick (#19), as Shanahan's courtship with T.O. shows clearly, but he remains in the starting lineup for now, while Shanahan is reportedly not happy with D.J. Williams's play this season (plus his DUI conviction didn't help) and there are rumors he'll be traded. Even if he's not, don't be surprised if Shanahan starts looking around for his replacement. If he drafts a LB in this year's draft that would be a sign that he considers Williams expendable. That would mean he's another in a string of first round busts.

Overall these drafts have to be considered average to poor. And the picture gets MUCH worse if you take into account 2nd round picks from the last five years:

Ian Gold, Paul Toviesi, Clinton Portis, Terry Pierce, Tatum Bell, Darius Watts. Of these only Ian Gold could be considered as a find. Portis was a success, but demanded to be traded, Toviesi was a total bust, Pierce was a total bust (not in the NFL after he was cut), Bell will have another chance this off-season, but doesn't look to be the starting tailback, and Watts was a big disappointment and will likely be cut prior to next season, especially if the Broncos sign T.O. or draft another WR.

In 2005 Shanahan totally lucked out. He signed Darrent Williams in the 2nd round as a PR/KR, and he's basically been mediocre at best at running back kicks, but he unexpectedly turned out to be a starter at inside CB. As the cartoon in the Post put it "even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while" -- showing Shanahan as a blind squirrel carrying an acorn named Williams past all the acorns labeled with the names of his previous busted picks.

Let's hope Shanahan gets lucky again in 2006!

[24CHAMP24]

This is not a TO thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oldustyballs]

The Broncos are currently over $10 million under the new cap after cutting Putzier, Anderson and Pryce, so, even subtracting some for the new rookie class, they should have about $7 million to spend on FAs and could possibly re-negotiate some more with their own veterans as well if necessary.

John Abraham would also cost one of the 1st round draft picks (and maybe another later round pick as well), so that would free up some money too (since the team wouldn't have to sign that pick).

They could easily sign Abraham.

It doesn't look like the Broncos are interested in T.O. but might be interested if the price were right. I don't know what other teams are willing to pay T.O., but it's unlikely to be anything like what he wants.

Most teams would be very wary of signing him, given the conflicts that he generates. If they did, they would likely sign a 1 or 2 year deal with various escape clauses related to "conduct detrimental" to the team, etc.

I.E. if he starts criticizing the coach and teammates he'd be gone and might forfeit some or all of his signing bonus, etc.

T.O. wouldn't like such clauses, but might have to agree to them.

Overall, the deal could be structured to have a reasonable salary cap impact, just as Abraham's deal would cost the Broncos less than $3 million in salary cap space this year.

Overall, it'd mean substituting Abraham for Pryce, which is a Hell of a deal for the Broncos since Abraham's 58 tackles and 10.5 sacks were more than twice what Pryce did this season. The only downside is that the Broncos would have to give up the #1 draft pick. But, considering Shanahan's spotty record with #1 picks over the last 5 years maybe that's not a bad thing! Of his last 5 picks, Deltha O'Neal, Willie Middlebrooks, Ashlie Lelie, George Foster, D.J. Williams - only Foster has really panned out so far (for the Broncos anyway). Lelie has been a disappointment for such a high pick (#19), as Shanahan's courtship with T.O. shows clearly, but he remains in the starting lineup for now, while Shanahan is reportedly not happy with D.J. Williams's play this season (plus his DUI conviction didn't help) and there are rumors he'll be traded. Even if he's not, don't be surprised if Shanahan starts looking around for his replacement. If he drafts a LB in this year's draft that would be a sign that he considers Williams expendable. That would mean he's another in a string of first round busts.

Overall these drafts have to be considered average to poor. And the picture gets MUCH worse if you take into account 2nd round picks from the last five years:

Ian Gold, Paul Toviesi, Clinton Portis, Terry Pierce, Tatum Bell, Darius Watts. Of these only Ian Gold could be considered as a find. Portis was a success, but demanded to be traded, Toviesi was a total bust, Pierce was a total bust (not in the NFL after he was cut), Bell will have another chance this off-season, but doesn't look to be the starting tailback, and Watts was a big disappointment and will likely be cut prior to next season, especially if the Broncos sign T.O. or draft another WR.

In 2005 Shanahan totally lucked out. He signed Darrent Williams in the 2nd round as a PR/KR, and he's basically been mediocre at best at running back kicks, but he unexpectedly turned out to be a starter at inside CB. As the cartoon in the Post put it "even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while" -- showing Shanahan as a blind squirrel carrying an acorn named Williams past all the acorns labeled with the names of his previous busted picks.

Let's hope Shanahan gets lucky again in 2006!

This is why I am hoping that we use one of those first round picks to get Abraham.

Which would you rather have in Shanahans hands a proven pass rusher or a first round draft pick. The answer to me is a no-brainer.

[SimonSteele]

Abraham for a 1st rounder? I'd say no way. He's injury prone and getting close to the top of the hill. A 2nd rounder maybe.

As for DJ being a bust, I hear Shanahan is mad at him but I never see links supporting this. I can give you links to his stats and Al Wilson's stats which he trails Wilson by only 20 tackles or so WHILE playing in a limited role. He is far from a bust.